Reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he had said that he would not yield an inch of the country’s territory, the Congress asked him to “walk the talk” now and lodge a “strong protest” with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the “brazen and blatant” incursions into India.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi demanded here on Monday that the Prime Minister “make a proper statement on the issue” and “write a strongly worded letter to the Chinese President, which should be made public.”
He also demanded an “apology” from Mr. Modi, accusing an official of the Gujarat government who, while signing three MoUs with representatives of a Chinese province, in the Prime Minister’s presence a few days ago, had distributed a handout that carried a map depicting Arunachal Pradesh as disputed territory, and Aksai Chin as part of China.
“The question now arises,” Dr. Singhvi continued, “whether in the MoU too, this particular map [showing Arunachal Pradesh as disputed territory] has been shown. During his election campaign in Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Modi made a rhetorical speech and promised that he will not allow the country to bow before another power, and he would not allow even an inch of India to go away…”
He also said it was a shame that Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who is from Arunachal Pradesh, was kept away from all meetings with the Chinese visitors.
Meanwhile, party general secretary Ajay Maken wrote on his blog: “In this MoU, Arunachal Pradesh has been shown as a disputed territory. The Prime Minister should apologise for this major lapse and blunder.”
